Lagniappe: Rochester's fantastic' family event

Spectators on a balcony of one of the downtown Rochester stores lit up during The Big, Bright Light Show during Lagniappe. The display will be lit every evening (5 p.m. ñ midnight) through Jan. 5, 2014. (Digital First Media/VAUGHN GURGANIAN)

ROCHESTER -- Bruce Holmes, of Shelby Township, has been coming to downtown Rochester to spend evenings with his wife, Nancy, since they first started dating over 45 years ago.

And the couple said they’ve attended the city’s Big, Bright Light Show every year the holiday-centric event has blanketed downtown businesses with colorful lights.

“It’s the warmth of the community and it ushers in a season of hope,” Nancy Holmes said Monday night of Lagniappe, the annual holiday extravaganza in downtown that marks the beginning of the Big, Bright Light Show.

Lagniappe, Creole for “a little something extra,” is held each year to offer appreciation to customers for their support of Rochester businesses, the city’s Downtown Development Authority said.

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Now in its 41st year, Lagniappe drew tens of thousands of people to downtown Monday night, featuring carolers belting Christmas tunes, horse drawn carriage rides and plenty of hot chocolate being sipped. Throngs of people kept the district’s businesses and restaurants busy throughout the night.

“You’re a part of celebrating what makes Rochester a great city,” Mayor Jeff Cuthbertson said to a crowd at Main and Fourth streets before the annual lighting with Santa and Mrs. Claus. “We hope this is a great part of your family tradition.”

Cathy Schulte, co-owner of Holy Cannolis at 415 Main, called the light show “amazing.”

“It brings a lot of people to downtown Rochester,” Schulte said. The near two-year old shop was offering six holiday-flavored cannolis, including gingerbread, peppermint and cookies and cream.

Initially, the eighth annual Big, Bright Light Show was expected to be scaled back after its budget shrunk and bids for construction came in higher.

So, the authority turned to the public for assistance.

A crowd-sourcing campaign was launched on Kickstarter — a web-based platform used to raise money for an idea, product or cause — to restore lights that drape over businesses along Fourth Street.

At the 11th hour, some large donations poured in, helping push the project past its $27,000 goal.

In total, 223 backers donated $28,160 to the project, bringing the number of lights in the show to over one million, the downtown development authority said.

Denise and Josh Person, of Rochester Hills, have brought their daughters, Sophia and Camilla, to the holiday lighting since the family moved to the area four years ago.

“I like how excited these girls are to see it,” Josh Person said.

His wife said the girls woke up Monday chanting, “Light this town!”

Asked how they feel about the light show, Sophia, 7, and Camilla, 5, said in unison that they “loved it.”

Jeffrey Matis, Oakland County Board of Commissioners Vice Chairperson, said Lagniappe is a “fantastic” family event for Rochester.

Matis, whose district represents Rochester on the commission, said the event is a great way to give families “a chance to kick off the holiday season.”

The light show runs through Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. The display will be lit daily from 5 p.m. to midnight.

Officials said the show annually draws more than one million people to the city’s downtown streets.